Senate blocks border bill

The Senate on Thursday blocked an emergency funding measure to respond to the border crisis, killing the chances of legislation reaching President Barack Obama’s desk before the August recess.

The $2.7 billion funding measure died on a procedural vote, 50-44. The Senate Democrats’ border-crisis legislation was always a long shot to secure the 60 votes needed to clear the chamber, due to Republican opposition and lack of support from some moderate Democrats.

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“It’s very regretful that we’re not able to move forward on it,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said after the vote.

The failed vote came the same day as a competing funding measure in the Republican-led House collapsed after GOP leaders could not secure enough votes to pass its $659 million bill on the House floor. Republican leaders plan to keep its members in town until some border-funding measure is passed, and GOP lawmakers plan to meet Friday morning to sketch out their next move.

The Democratic-led Senate will leave town on Thursday after finishing their final round of votes — a fact that caused some consternation among some lawmakers.

“I’m not going home to South Carolina until the House acts,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). “And I’m going to ask my Senate colleagues — whether you like it or not — just vote on the damn thing. Just vote on it, whether you like it or not.”

The Democrats’ border funding bill, which also included money for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system and funds to combat wildfires, did not include changes to a 2008 anti-trafficking law that Republicans and some Democrats said were crucial to stemming the influx of unaccompanied minors at the southern border.